July 12, 2013. Yekaterinburg authorities are planning to organize a football supporters festival on July 12-13, 2014, when the World Cup is to unfold in Brazil, Deputy Head of Yekaterinburg Administration Sergey Tushin said at the Innoprom 2013 exhibition.

He says Yekaterinburg has proved its ability to host football matches in a very professional way quite a number of times.

'The successful coordination of football championships on the city stadiums was made possible thanks to the developed and modern sports infrastructure and strong sports traditions the city has, as well as thanks to the locals' visible support,' Yekaterinburg Administration's press officer refers to Tushin as saying.

Yekaterinburg is expected to coordinate the festival along the 'key games' model. This means the festival site will be open on the days when the key matches are held in the course of the championship: the opening games, the games in which the Russian national team takes part, the semi-final games, and the finals.

V.V. Mayakovsky Central Culture & Recreation Park is considered as the primary site for the festival. The place was chosen because of its extensive infrastructure.

'Holding the festival in Yekaterinburg will mean we can rehearse some of the festive events planned for the World Cup 2018. An international football supporters festival in this city is both an opportunity to create a memorable performance for all the football fans and a chance to feel the spirit of the Mundial in a unique, exclusive atmosphere in the anticipation of the World Cup 2018,' Tushin pointed out.